Lesson Program

Our lesson program is designed to accommodate riders of all abilities and ages. Our well-loved school horses and ponies offer security for those just starting out and challenges for the more advanced. In addition to the diverse riders from elementary to high school age, we have several groups of adult clients; Trinity Farm’s riders range in age from 4 to 60+. This includes kids and teens of all ages and showing levels, adults competing in “A” shows, first time beginners, college or graduate school aged young adults, and parents getting back into riding after decades off! Riders in our lesson program have the opportunity to participate in every part of barn life, whether or not they own a horse, including competitions and our educational programming.

Besides traditional hunter/jumper riding lessons, Trinity Farm offers therapeutic riding lessons with a PATH Int’l. certified instructor for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Leaders and sidewalkers are provided on an as-needed basis. We also have experiential programming available for groups and field trips including classes, after-school programs, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and churches.

Please be aware that due to the nature of working with horses, you will have possible exposure to common allergens such as dust, hay, animal dander and hair, mold, insect stings and bites, etc.

Horsemanship and Education

Dedicated to producing well-rounded equestrians, Trinity Farm’s lesson program forms the basis for our clients’ education. Every rider is expected to learn how to groom and tack their horse properly before they ride and care for their horse after the lesson.

Horsemanship classes in basic horse care, husbandry, and first aid are available for anyone who wants to learn or brush up on their skills. Riders in middle or high school are expected to maintain their grades in order to participate in the lesson program. We have several adults ready, willing and able to assist with homework or study skills if needed.

Our commitment to producing educated riders continues outside of the lesson program, and we offer regular educational opportunities for all our clients:

In addition to our summer camp program, we offer mini-camps for both adults and kids, usually over the holidays or a long weekend. These focus on a specific skill set or cover an educational topic in-depth.

Our riders have access to guest trainers specializing in an array of disciplines that includes dressage and show jumping. Participation as auditors or riders in local clinics with internationally known trainers is highly encouraged.

For our college-bound students who are interested in pursuing equine or related studies, we provide guidance in identifying and researching appropriate programs. We assist them in applying for athletic scholarships and facilitate shadowing experiences with local professionals or road trips to nearby universities.

Lesson FAQs

Our most frequently asked questions about lessons

What can I expect of my first lesson?

Your first riding lesson will be a one-on-one session with your riding instructor . It will consist of a tour of the barn area, a basic introduction to horses, safety, grooming and everything you’ll need to know to get ready to ride! You may expect approximately 30 minutes of mounted instruction. The mounted portion of the lesson is tailored to make you comfortable with your horse and learn the basics of stopping, moving forward, and turning. Don’t expect to be jumping the first day! As you improve your riding skills, you will have the choice to move to lessoning with a peer group – people who match yourself in age and/or skill level. You should always plan to arrive half an hour before the lesson starts to get your horse ready to ride.

When will I be trotting/cantering/jumping?

Generally, it takes several lessons before a rider is completely comfortable riding the horse independently just at a walk. Depending on the rider, it may take anywhere from a few lessons to several months to be able to trot independently; this holds true for cantering and jumping as well. In addition to trying to remember all the new things you are learning, you also have to build up muscle strength and memory. Learning to ride requires that you be proficient and safe with each new skill before you can move on to the next. Each rider is different, and time is an essential component of the learning process. We make every effort to ensure that the rider is secure in each skill before we progress to the next step.

What should I wear to a lesson?

Long pants and closed toed shoes with a one inch heel are required for safety. Dress for the weather – layers are advised! Loaner helmets are available; however, if you decide to ride regularly, it is recommended that you purchase your own riding attire. If you or your child use assistive devices that do not allow for wearing of boots, please let us know before the lesson.

How do I fit a riding helmet?

A riding helmet generally fits properly if:

there is no more than one or two finger widths between the rider’s eyebrows and the helmet

without the harness buckled, you can shake your head and/or look down at the ground and the helmet does not fall off. (We call this the “achoo” test. If you can “achoo” like a sneeze and the helmet doesn’t move, it fits!)